Calling Out Tanya Pilbersek on Misandry and Freedom of Speech

Tanya Pilbersek, today is your 50^th birthday and the 65^th anniversary of the censure of Joseph McCarthy by the US Senate.

Today I remind you of the great words of one of the pioneers of the long campaign to bring McCarthy under control. On June 1^st 1950 Senator Margaret Smith of Maine said to the Senate: “Freedom of speech is not what it used to be in America.  It has been so abused by some that it is not exercised by others.”

Senator Smith took a courageous stand against what she called “hate and character assassination”

Today I ask you, Tanya Pilbersek, to repudiate the misandry of #metoo and White Ribbon Day which has created a climate of fear where an elected people’s representative of your political party can use the police against freedom of speech and not be held to account.

I call on you to unequivocally reject the sexist campaign to end violence against women. This is a gross affront to all male victims of violence.

Today, on the day of your birth, I, writing as a former midwife of 3 decades standing, ask you to remember all mothers and recant your politically motivated opposition to Tony Abbott’s sadly ill fated but ground breaking proposal for a more generous paid parental leave scheme.

Mr Abbott wanted to tax the biggest companies in Australia to give all mothers 6 months 100% income replacement for income up to $150,00 a year.

You said that this showed his “lack of respect” for women.

The truth is that you showed your lack of respect for mothers.

Shame on you.

Geoff Fox, Terra Nullius, 2^nd December, 2019